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Autumn is a very special time in Canada, and especially in the Canadian Rockies. While many mourn the end of long summer days, hikers delight in the changes that fall brings. The best larch hikes in Alberta shine in the autumn season! Hiking in the Rockies through fall brings clear blue skies, cool air, and the legendary colour change of the larches. Larch hikes in the Rockies draw massive crowds, and for good reason! The trees changing from green to brilliant gold wraps the mountains in a blanket of warm colour, but the chance to see them is short. The best fall hikes in Alberta might only be at their glory for a couple of short weeks, so you need to see them while they’re at their beautiful best.
The alpine larch, officially known as larix lyallii, is only found at a certain elevation, which is why you only get to see them in the Rockies. They are one of the few conifers that change colours from dark green to radiant gold and drop their needles. This tends to happen between mid to late September each year.
While many casual hikers have hung up their boots, larch lovers are hitting the trails. To find the best views of this fleeting fall foliage, we put together a list of the top 15 larch hikes in Alberta and the Canadian Rockies.
Best Larch Hikes in Banff National Park
LARCH VALLEY/SENTINEL PASS
Sentinel Pass trail in Banff National Park is one of the best larch hikes in Alberta
The hike through Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass near Moraine Lake is what we’d venture to call the #1 larch hike in Alberta, and perhaps the Rockies as a whole. Not only is the valley itself already stunning, but it’s absolutely packed with larches! With great beauty comes great popularity, though. This hike is in high demand through the fall, and getting a spot on the trail isn’t easy. You’ll have to book a shuttle in advance to access the trail. The shuttles from Lake Louise overflow parking run throughout the day and require an advance reservation, but they alleviate the challenge of trying to find parking right at Moraine Lake, which was often only available before 6 AM in larch season. For breathtaking views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks and endless golden trees, we’d say it’s worth it!
Check out the Sentinel Pass hike!
HEALY PASS
Healy Pass trail is one of the best larch hikes in Alberta
Healy Pass is a beautiful hike no matter the season, but the larches make this trail a perfect fall hike in the Rockies. Starting at the Sunshine Village parking lot, this 19.0 km trail quickly leaves the ski hill and travels up over 700 m to a pass covered in larch trees. If you’re feeling energetic, push on further up over the pass and down to stunning Egypt Lake. Here, you can opt to stay at the Parks Canada Egypt Lake Shelter (bookable through Parks Canada). You return the way you came up, with incredible views down the valley. It’s a great option if you’re just not willing to battle the crowds at Moraine, but you still want to find an unforgettable fall hike in Alberta.
Check out the Healy Pass hike!
LAKE AGNES
Lake Agnes is a beautiful larch hike near Lake Louise
Lake Agnes is stunning any time of year, and the quaint teahouse nestled beside this pristine alpine lake draws countless visitors throughout the summer. Don’t pass up on this hike in the fall, though! Because of the viewpoints you enjoy throughout the duration of this 7.6 km trek, you’ll get peeks and glimpses of the larches rising over Lake Louise before completely immersing yourself in the trees before you reach Lake Agnes. Once you’re just about at the teahouse, turn around and look back from the direction you came in, where an astounding view over the valley features larches as far as the eye can see.
Check out the Lake Agnes hike!
SKOKI LAKES
The Skoki Lakes hike in Banff National Park is one of the best larch hikes in Alberta
Oh, Skoki Lakes. Those glimmering trees reflected into the water with the mountain peaks above them is about as good as an autumn view can get. This lesser-known larch hike should be high on any experienced hiker’s list. That’s right- unfortunately, beginners might not appreciate the 26.0 km required to fully enjoy this trip. Those willing to make the trek will be treated to fantastic fall colours with a fraction of the crowd you’d find at most other larch hikes in Banff. Passing by Boulder Pass, Ptarmigan Lake, Packers Pass, the Skoki Lakes and then Deception Pass on the way back makes for an incredibly full day. Enjoy that solitude and those perfect trees!
Check out the Skoki Lakes trail!
TAYLOR AND O’BRIEN LAKES
Larch trees changing colour, looking from above
Taylor Lake reflects the glowing gold and green of the surrounding trees in its crystal surface, making this little slice of nature look a whole lot like a painting. The crowds here aren’t as heavy as other larch hikes in Alberta, and its proximity to Banff makes it a breeze to reach. Do the 13.0 km roundtrip to Taylor Lake, or if you’re feeling adventurous and want even better views (if that’s even possible), tack on an additional 3.6 km to O’Brien Lake. This rarely-visited lake is absolutely lit up during larch season, and the reward of these two lakes on one trail will make the full-day distance feel worth every step.
Check out the Taylor and O'Brien Lakes trail!
BIG BEEHIVE
Big Beehive trail offers fantastic views around Lake Louise and it's especially stunning in fall
Big Beehive is an incredibly popular hike near Lake Louise, accessible for beginner and intermediate hikers and offering amazing views of Lake Louise from above. It’s one of the most-hiked trail in the area and super easy to follow, even for newer hikers. While it’s mostly done as a summer hike, it’s a great fall hike in Banff National Park too! Because of the plethora of larches in the Lake Louise area, this trail is a great way to appreciate the changing colours from above. The 10.3 km trail also offers east extensions on other trails in the Lake Louise area, giving you an easy chance to extend your adventure and see other viewpoints in this natural paradise.
Check out the Big Beehive trail!
Best Larch Hikes in Jasper National Park
SKYLINE TRAIL
Skyline trail is a great route to see larch trees in the viscinity of the region
There’s a reason that larch season in Banff is so renowned- it’s the best place to see those golden colours. While Jasper National Park doesn’t have as many larch trees, there is still a trail you can take to enjoy the fall colours! If you’re hiking on Skyline Trail, try stopping by the Shovel Pass Lodge. This lodge is accessible until Labour Day weekend, and if the conditions are just right, you’ll get an early fall treat of autumn colours. You won’t be able to do this in a day hike, but it’s a great late-season backpacking adventure.
Check out the Skyline Trail hike!
Best Larch Hikes in Kananaskis
POCATERRA RIDGE
Pocaterra Ridge is one of the best larch hikes in Alberta
If you’re looking for a standout larch hike, look no further than Pocaterra Ridge in Kananaskis. This is beginning to gain a reputation as one of the best fall hikes in Alberta after many seasons of being a go-to for locals, and for good reason! The beginning of the trail takes you right through forests of golden larches, and once up on the ridge, you have an expansive view of the trees below and the summits beyond. At just under 12.0 km with about 770 m of elevation gain, it’s a perfect choice for intermediate hikers looking for a fall hike close to Calgary. Note that Pocaterra Ridge is a point-to-point hike, so you’ll ideally want two cars.
Check out the Pocaterra Ridge hike!
CHESTER LAKE
Chester lake is an amazing larch trail in Alberta
Who doesn’t love Chester Lake? It’s great for the whole family, drawing crowds all year long. You’ve probably heard of it (or perhaps even done it) as a go-to winter snowshoeing trail, but it’s also one of the most fantastic fall hikes in the Rockies. It’s much easier on the legs than most with a modest 415 m elevation gain to the lake. With the peaks surrounding you as you walk and miles of shimmering larches leading the way, this is a fantastic way to enjoy fall in the Canadian Rockies. Located in Kananaskis, it’s a quick trip from Calgary, but the crowds can get thick so we recommend going earlier in the day. Bonus tip: if you have a permit, you can enjoy some fishing at the lake before heading back down.
Check out the Chester Lake hike!
BURSTALL PASS
Burstall Pass trail is one of the best larch hikes in Alberta
Burstall Pass is a favourite of ours any season of the year, with lovely summer views and great cross-country skiing in the winter. Of course, our favourite time to be here is autumn! The hike itself is unique, crossing marshes, streams, passing lakes, and finally ascending into the pass. As you approach the pass, you’re treated to views of the larches climbing the hills. If you make it to the top at exactly the right time of year, the whole valley below is covered in gold. This 15.0 km hike gains over 650 m and ends with spectacular views of the beautiful Mount Assiniboine, the Matterhorn of the Rockies. It’s not usually too busy, making it a perfect fall hike in Alberta.
Check out the Burstall Pass hike!
BULLER PASS
Buller Pass is one of the best larch hikes in the Canadian Rockies
Buller Pass is one of the few fall hikes in the Rockies where you might end up enjoying the larches all by yourself. It’s a lesser-known go-to for the trees, but impresses nonetheless. About 40 minutes into the hike you’ll be treated to your first glimpses, and they’ll stay around you until you break the treeline. If the weather’s right, you can continue your hike to Ribbon Lake, Guinn’s Pass, or North Buller Pass. No matter where you go, you’ll be treated to fantastic views of nearby summits and bright yellow trees in the valleys.
Check out the Buller Pass hike!
PTARMIGAN CIRQUE
Ptarmigan Cirque in Kananaskis is one of the best larch hikes in the Canadian Rockies
Ptarmigan Cirque is the perfect way to enjoy fall colours without asking too much of those knees! The trail is only 4.2 km long with very manageable elevation gain, but the cirque you’ll reach at the end is truly spectacular. Hiking through the trees and then ascending above them gives you a fantastic vantage point over the golden fall colours of Kananaskis. This is a great one for less-experienced hikers and those wanting a lot of reward for minimal effort.
Check out the Ptarmigan Cirque hike!
PICKLEJAR LAKES
Picklejar Lakes trail is a wonderful larch trail in Kananaskis
Picklejar Lakes has long been a go-to summer trail for locals, but it’s also a wonderful larch hike in Alberta, with golden trees dotted along the trail. This is a great intermediate hike with 10.5 km of distance and 500 m of elevation gain to complete. The views are fantastic, with three gorgeous lakes framed by the mountains of Kananaskis. You’ll want to return to this one again and again, so make sure one of your trips is during larch season.
Check out the Picklejar Lakes hike!
Best Larch Hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park
ROWE LAKES
Rowe Lakes Trail in Waterton is a great larch hike
If you’re lucky enough to be hiking in Waterton during larch season, you could nab a spot on some of the most underrated trails in the province. Rowe Lakes is a lovely forested 12.9 km hike that, thanks to its larches, is especially pretty as the leaves change. Rowe Lake itself is calm, picturesque, and the ideal picnic spot. This is a lesser-known larch destination, so it’s up to you whether you share the secret or not!
Check out the Rowe Lakes hike!
TWIN LAKES
Larch Tree Forest
Although damaged in the Kenow fire, Twin Lakes in Waterton still has beautiful larches to see. Reached by taking the Blackiston Valley Trail or the Snowshoe Cabin Trail, Twin Lakes is often used as a stop for backpackers hiking the Tamarack Trail. If you’re ready to make some miles, you can complete this as a full day trip instead. The lakes are peaceful and flanked by golden larches through the end of September.
Check out the Twin Lakes hike!
Larch season is here, so get those boots laced and hit the trail! With so many unbelievable fall colours in Banff, Kananaskis, and the rest of the Rockies beyond, it’s worth it to make the most of the short larch season. And if you’re just not ready to stop hiking, why not check out some of the best winter hikes in Alberta, too? We’ll catch you in the trees!
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Canadian Rockies Articles
Check out this list of articles to help you plan your next holiday in the Canadian Rockies. Get tips and valuable information that will turn your trip into an incredible adventure!
Trip Planning in the Canadian Rockies
- Planning your trip to Banff National Park
- Planning your trip to Canmore
- Planning your trip to Castle Provincial Park
- Planning your trip to the Icefields Parkway
- Planning your trip to Jasper National Park
- Planning your trip in the Kananaskis
- Planning your trip to Lake Louise
- Planning your trip to Waterton National Park
- Planning a Family trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Planning a Family trip to Canmore
- List of tours in the Canadian Rockies
Canadian Rockies Hiking and Camping Articles
- Best Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Alberta
- Best Family Hikes in Banff National Park
- Best Family Hikes near Calgary
- Best Larch Hikes in Alberta
- Frontcountry Camping in Banff National Park
- Underrated Campgrounds in Alberta
Canadian Rockies Backpacking Articles
- Best Backpacking Trails for Families in the Rockies
- Best Backpacking Trails in Banff National Park
- Best Backpacking Trails in Canada
- Best Backpacking Trails in Western Canada
- Best Backcountry Campgrounds in Banff National Park
Other Canadian Rockies Articles